Do you like to kill ducks—and want to do your part to give back to the resource? One of the most effective and rewarding ways to do so is by participating in Ducks Unlimited’s volunteer program.
Unless you’re living under a rock, you probably know that Ducks Unlimited (DU) is hands-down one of the most effective conservation organizations out there. The organization was established in 1937 and, since then, has directly conserved more than 19 million acres of wetlands and waterfowl habitats in North America.
One of the reasons the organization is so effective, according to Amy Gairhan, DU Manager of Event Promotions, is because of its committed volunteers, of which there are currently 31,000 active individuals across the continent.
“Without our volunteers, we would never be able to fulfill our mission. It’s just that simple,” she says. “Some people might think that the most important position at our company is the CEO, but it’s actually the volunteer. Our volunteers are the pillars we stand on.”
Gairhan adds that volunteers are especially important to the group because of its relatively slim staff size. Without the manpower of volunteers, it would be difficult to make the strides that DU has been able to when it comes to wetland conservation.
How and Why to Volunteer With DU
Getting involved as a volunteer with DU is easy: simply fill out a form on the nonprofit’s website. After that, a regional director will get in contact with you.
Depending on your location, there will likely be a variety of different types of volunteer opportunities, including public land cleanups and boots-on-the-ground conservation work. That said, the most common—and impactful—opportunities often center around chapter banquets. “This kind of work could be anything from helping to set up the event to cold-calling people to ask to donate items for the auction,” Gairhan says. “It doesn’t matter your age, or whether you’re able-bodied, there’s always something you can do to help.
Similar volunteer opportunities can also be found at the organization’s larger events, including DUX, the Fishing for Ducks ice fishing contest, and the Blackhawk Gala in California.
Gairhan says that the biggest benefit of participating in the volunteer program is making an impact—and keeping duck hunting alive for future generations. “If you enjoy duck hunting, you’ve got to give back, or it’s all going to disappear,” she says. “Hunters are our best conservationists, and they’re our best partners for America’s number one wetland conservation organization.”
Beyond that, another key benefit of the program is community. While you probably won’t meet your future spouse while volunteering with DU—as Gairhan did—you’ll almost certainly develop connections with like-minded waterfowl hunters.
“Working face-to-face with each other bonds you together,” she says. “A lot of people say that Ducks Unlimited is a family. That’s 100 percent true.”
It’s also rare but possible to get unique hunting experiences as a thank you for your work. You don’t have to be a member to begin volunteering with DU. In fact, volunteering for the organization is one way to qualify for an annual membership. The organization boasts impressive efficiency, with 87-percent of its spending in 2025 going directly to wetlands and waterfowl conservation and education efforts.